Virginia Triathlon Series - Race #3 Kinetic Half - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I don't think I could have asked for more in the swim. When the race director gave wave 5 (last wave of the day) the "GO!", I immediately started my watch and got to work. I ran out as fast as I could and dove in to start swimming. Right away, I am met with feet and legs kicking. I try to get around them and am successful. I feel confident and am anxious just to be moving. I finish the first lap of the swim in approximately 12 minutes, and I feel great.

I exit the water, run on the beach, and dive back in for my second loop. I still feel great, and I'm actually enjoying the swim! I felt very comfortable and at ease in the water. I finished the second loop without much excitement. I made sure to pee in my last 100 meters so that I wouldn't have to go so early on the bike.

After exiting the water, I plop down and go to peel off my wetsuit. Usually, that helps me to get it off quicker. But, I didn’t take into account that my fingers and feet would be so numb that I wouldn’t be able to bend them. So, I struggled to get the wetsuit off for quite some time. I couldn’t get it past my ankles, because my fingers were icicles. Finally, I got it off, stood up, and ran to the transition area to gear up for the bike. Most people were walking up to the transition, but I ran. This caused me to miss the timing mat, and I don't have my official swim or T1 time.


Do some more chilly open water swims.

I took my time in T1: dried my feet, put on socks, then slipped on my bike shoes, race helmet, and sunglasses. I opted for no arm warmers, because it was already getting warm outside and I was counting on my adrenaline keeping me warm until the sun came out. I ran out and up a steep dirt hill to the Mount Line.

I should have waited until T1 to actually take off my suit, just to give my hands a bit longer to thaw out.

Also, I shouldn't have dilly-dallied as much as I did. I talked to my rack neighbors for a bit (all men, didn't see too many women out of the water yet) before heading out. Now that I know I can be competitive in these races, I should concentrate on being as efficient as possible.

I felt great right off the start, but I still decided to play it cool and settle into the bike instead of hammering. I spun for the first 15 minutes to acclimate myself on the bike and took my first gu at minute 20, and then every 30 minutes from there on out. Total gus was 6 on the bike.

At mile 26, I passed Ron. I felt great, and decided to pick up the pace a bit on the second loop. I told myself I would go hard on the first half and then see what I had left on the second half. Around mile 30-31, I see an orange shirt up front ahead of me. I know this is Brad, I can tell by the way he cycles. I catch (and pass) him at mile 33. I shout "Yeah Brad" and he yells encouragement back to me. I feel strong, but his cheers for me make me even more confident. I hit a hill and spin up it with no problem. I’m having a hell of a day on the bike.

Well, around mile 40, I can’t ignore it anymore. I have to pee. Really bad. There are no port-o-potties around. I have no problem popping a squat in the woods, but to be honest, I don’t want to waste time by going to the bathroom. I’ve heard of athletes peeing on their bike before, and I’m not opposed to it. I decide to try it. After checking if there is anyone behind me, I attempt it. Takes me a few times, but I finally do it. What it took was me waiting until I was going down a hill. I stand up, squeeze, and low and behold, I actually go. I'm kinda grossed out, but at the same time, I just saved myself about 2 minutes of having to stop, pull down my pants, etc.

I just took my water bottle and sprayed myself clean with the water. I squirted it all over my legs and butt. And then I laughed out loud. The rest of the ride, I am much more comfortable.

For the remaining 15 miles, I start to mentally prepare for the run. I get out of my saddle and stretch my legs on all/most of the hills. I see the mile 50 marker spray painted on the road, and I start to get really excited. I keep telling myself that whatever happens on the run, I’ve had a great swim and a great bike. I’ve been strong thus far, and I just need to wait and see what the run will hold.

Mile 51, Mile 52, Mile 53 zoom by. I slam a gu when I have about 10 more minutes left on the bike. I’m back in Lake Anna State Park, which is still challenging because the roads are quite rolling.

As I’m biking, I can see people who are already out on the run. I try to count how many women are out on the course already. I see a few, but not many. That’s a good sign for me. I slow down gradually when I see the bike dismount sign. Get off my bike, make sure I have good footing on the dirt decline into T2.


Maybe push myself a bit more. But, I was extremely happy with my performance.

Decided to once again take my time. I swapped my bike shoes and bike helmet for running sneaks and a race belt. Again, I have to run up a grassy/dirt path to reach the road.

Hustle!

The uphill out of transition and the first part of the road hits me like a ton of bricks. And I still have 13.1 miles to run……great.

But it was great. After that initial uphill, I found my legs. I found my pace. I found my mindset. I was in the game and feeling strong. I hit the first mile at 8:43. Awesome! I couldn’t ask for a better first mile. The second mile, and 7:47 (which was short), but Woo-hoo anyway! It's still a confidence booster.

I kept the run consistent between 8:30- and 9-minute miles for the remainder of the run. The course was a constant incline or decline. After the first three miles, I took my first gu. I have a 5K under my belt, I think. Now just three more 5Ks to go.

I see Ron somewhere in there, he's at mile 1, and he's not in good shape. I try to send him some words of inspiration, and then I'm off. Brad catches me back at mile 4.75. We run together to the 5-mile marker, and then I tell him to go ahead because my heart rate started to rise. After he motored ahead, I was confident. I felt great. Minus a few stomach aches here and there (probably related to the heat and calorie deprivation), my body was in good condition.

I saw Kristin, and she looked like she was in good spirits, despite her headache. I give that woman props for sticking it out. That's inspirational it its on sense! She cheers for me, and I for her. It means a lot to hear your friends tell you that you're looking strong. And, I’m in shock that I am running so well and feel so good.

The miles roll by, and I am starting to realize that I’m going to finish the race in under 5 hours and 30 minutes. My goal was 6 hours. When I have 5K left, I decide to let my heart rate go and push myself a bit. I am surprised by how much I have left to give. My last mile is 7:35. I hit that spray-painted marking that says “13,” and I start to tear up.

I sprint the last one-tenth of a mile to the finish line. My body feels great, and I am ecstatic.

Splits:
Mile 1: 8.43
Mile 2: 7.47
Mile 3: 9.24
Mile 4: 8.31
Mile 5: 8.26
Mile 6: 8.53
Mile 7: 8.42
Mile 8: 8.35
Mile 9: 9.28
Mile 10: 9.00
Mile 11: 8.49
Mile 12: 9.05
Mile 13: 7.35
Mile 13.1: 1.04


Nothing. I had a great run.

Found Tim and Brad in the water. We exchange hugs and Tim and I kisses, and then I’m ready for some wading in the cold water.



Not having done a half before, I played it safe all day. In hindsight, I could have hustled in transitions a bit more.


It turns out that I placed second in my age group, and I finished fifth overall (females who did the half). I also qualified for the USAT National half-Ironman championships. It’s in September. And TBD if I am going to go. We’ll see what the season brings. Right now, I’m holding out for Kona……LOL.

It was awesome to do this race with Tim, Brad, and K. I loved the two loop thing, because it gave me an opportunity to see almost everyone. Too bad Tim and I didn't see each other on the course at all!!!

Not enough food after the race, which was disappointing. I wanted some real grub and all they had was chex mix, oreos, goldfish, and oranges. They had chicken stew, but who wants to eat stew after a hot race? (I had some, but still!)